An introduction to male grooming

Male grooming refers to all the activities men do to take care of their bodies and improve their physical appearance such as bathing, shaving, brushing their teeth, hairstyling, skincare routines, hair care routines, among others. The concept of male grooming is popular all over the world as most men want to look good as per modern standards.

History of male grooming 

Men have come a long way when you consider how male grooming habits have changed over the centuries. From prehistoric unkempt mops of hair and scraggly beards to the modern carefully sculpted quiff and perfectly styled stubbles. 

The history of male grooming dates all the way back to ancient Egypt as early as 10,000BC. The ancient Egyptian discovered the amazing benefits of aloe Vera as well as fragrant oils, bathing milk, and kohl. The main reason why Egyptians used such products was to protect themselves from the extremely hot desert sun. They also did it to improve their appearance and mask body odours. 

The Romans had a different approach from the Egyptians. The Romans male grooming concept was based on overall bodily cleanliness. They had communal baths where men would meet up and share grooming tips. They also used oil-based perfumes in their baths to improve their smell. The Romans were also the first men to use hair dyes. Blonde was the most popular colour as it made them look younger. 

During the middle ages to Elizabethan era, male grooming was quite unpopular especially after vehement condemnation from the church. However, under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, male grooming gained traction again and saw the rise of new products such as rosemary water for hair care and sage for teeth whitening. 

The Victorian era was when male grooming really became more of a necessity than a luxury since the majority of men were doing it. It was also easier during this period since male grooming products were being mass-produced for the first time ever. Many grooming products were invented during this period and you could find them in most homes. 

In the 1900s, the birth of Hollywood resulted in an influx of male celebrities with stylish haircuts, cleanly shaven faces, and pearl-white teeth. This took male grooming to a whole new level as the everyday man was starting to pay attention to how they looked. It was during this time that the first safety razors were introduced, making shaving at home easy and enjoyable. 

In the modern world, science, technology, and fashion have led to the rise of multiple grooming trends. Men are indulging in a host of grooming routines that were previously considered 'forbidden' in many cultures; moisturizing, shaving chest hair, among other activities.

Men also have access to a wide variety of grooming products that serve different purposes.

Male grooming products that every man needs 

Gone are the days when men only needed a toothbrush, razor, and some lotion to have a full grooming supplies kit. Today, we have so many male grooming products that it can be intimidating for some men to decide what to use. These are the products you need;

1. Razor 

Overgrown hair in men is one of those things that modern society seems to be against. You constantly need to get rid of hair from your head, your beard, shoulder hair, chest hair, and tufts that sprout from your nose or ears. As such, men need to have an arsenal of razors, trimmers, and tweezers to get rid of hair from different parts of the body. 

2. Toothbrush 

Unless you never plan on opening your mouth ever again, you need to brush your teeth at least twice per day to get rid of terrible odours and to keep them pearly-white. 

3. Hairstyling supplies 

This includes everything you need to get your hair into your desired style such as combs, hair styling gels, and other things.

4. Skincare products 

The skin is the largest organ in your body and also the most important as it protects all your other organs from all kinds of external threats. Every man needs to invest their time, money and effort into skincare as it will have benefits that last for their entire lives. The following are some of the male skincare products that you need:

a) Bathing soap 

This ensures that you are perfectly clean after every shower and that your skin gets some vital nutrients. Bathing soaps are different so you need to find one with the perfect combination of ingredients for your skin such as vitamins, aloe Vera, essential oils, and antibacterial features. 

b) A functional face wash 

You need to pay particular attention to your skin especially if you want to keep wrinkles and other ageing signs at bay. A face wash made with activated charcoal is great for removing dirt and toxins from the skin. 

c) Moisturizer 

A moisturizer is a vital part of any skincare regimen. If you don't want to end up with a beat-up, leathery face, you should make it a point to moisturize your skin every day. Moisturizers work by locking in moisture in the skin to keep it hydrated. This prevents skin dryness and prevents it from becoming flaky. Some moisturizers come with SPF which protects against the sun. 

d) Natural supplements

Having a small set of natural or herbal supplements are a popular tool for men these days, often allowing extra nutrients or supplementation of vital vitamins for better bodily function. Whether it’s your multi-vitamin or an extra dose of vitamin D. It helps the body and individual. New supplements or proprietary blends are often introduced to the market, which can help common men’s health issues from impotence, mental wellbeing and performance. CBD is a recent supplement which has grown in popularity, to help combat anxiety and depression, with reports of many other benefits. Also available in e-liquid or tinctures oil.

e) Sunscreen 

If you plan on going out in the sun, you'll need to wear protection. The sun's rays are dangerous not only to your looks but also to your health. Prolonged exposure to the sun's rays when you are not wearing sunscreen can lead to redness, discolouration, pigmentation, saggy skin, and early onset of wrinkles. Harmful UVA and UVB rays have also been linked to various skin conditions such as skin cancer. 

f) Shaving cream 

As you shave, moisture escapes from your beard hairs which can make them hard and resistant to the blade. Shaving cream prevents this by locking in moisture in your beard hairs to make them soft and easy to cut. It also creates a protective layer between the skin and the blade ensuring less friction. This minimizes the risk of redness, irritation, shaving rash, and cuts. 

g) Lip balm 

Men also need to take care of their lips. There are lip balms specifically designed for men. They are usually fast-absorbing and have no shine. 

I'll be honest, you don't have to buy every product under the sun to become a well-groomed individual but it's worth noting that people can be picky. Men don't wear makeup, but it's not a crime to look well.

Benefits of male grooming 

To appear more attractive 

If you want to be the guy that every woman wants, you need to be well-groomed at all times. A well-groomed and well-dressed man is more attractive and he's likely to make a better impression on others. He looks more approachable and to some extent friendlier than a man who smells like he last took a shower years ago. This helps you not only in your romantic life but also in your professional life. When you look good, people hold you in high regards and are more likely to deal with you professionally. 

It prevents ageing signs 

Grooming is vital for slowing down ageing signs in men. Basic grooming activities like moisturizing or using sunscreen are proven to keep skin looking young and wrinkle-free for longer than people who choose not to do it. 

It is good for your health 

Male grooming has many benefits for your health. First of all, it helps you to get rid of dirt from various parts of your body that could cause various illnesses. For instance, bathing using antibacterial soap helps to get rid of germs and creates a protective cover around your body to keep germs at bay. Shaving overgrown hairs reduce the chances of live or other harmful parasites hiding there.

It boosts your confidence 

When you look nice and attractive, your confidence level skyrockets. A well-groomed man has more value in the eyes of other people which makes him feel more confident when dealing with them. This explains why most men have to get a haircut before an interview or an important meeting. 

It makes you appear richer than you are 

If you were told to describe what you expect a rich man to look like, you'd think of a man in a neat suit, clean-shaven beard, perfectly-styled hair, and with a nice-smelling cologne. If you want to create good first impressions, you need to be well-groomed always especially during business interactions. 

It shows that you care about personal hygiene 

Well-groomed men show that they have a high level of personal hygiene and that they can take care of themselves. This is an important aspect both in personal and professional environments. Your friends, colleagues, family members, and spouse will enjoy dealing with you or spending time with you when you are smart and well-groomed. 

It makes you look more professional

A well-groomed man is more likely to be taken more seriously in a professional environment. 

Conclusion

With the rising age of social media and a growing conscious population. The wellbeing of yourself should become a priority. There’s not a better time to start caring about your diet for both your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

It’s important not to care too much about what people think about you but should consider yourself to be working and improving version which can be worked on.